Ted (Teeder) Kennedy, who did just about everything humanly possible for the Maple Leafs between 1942-57, was given a moving tribute prior to last night's game. The former captain, Hart Trophy winner and Stanley Cup winner passed away this summer at age 83.

An honour guard of Leafs who played in his era, George Armstrong, Dick Duff, Danny Lewicki, Fleming Mackell and Gaye Stewart, joined Kennedy's son, Mark, in a centre-ice ceremony.

Kennedy's No. 9 banner was lowered and raised again. When the Leafs' decided to put player banners at Maple Leaf Gardens in the early 1990s, a panel of alumni decided Kennedy should be the first man honoured. He refused unless his idol, Syl Apps, went up first. So, No. 10 and No. 9 went up together.

At the conclusion of last night's tribute, radio play-by-play man Joe Bowen gave the old "C'mon Teeder" cry.

STRANGE BUT TRUE

The last time the Leafs were off to an 0-4-1 start was 1990-91. One of the players called up to help reverse fortunes was Newmarket farm team winger Joe Sacco, behind the Colorado bench last night...Tyler Bozak's first NHL game was against the Avs, headquartered near the University of Denver, where Bozak played his college hockey.

LOOSE LEAFS

Though many defencemen could have been dropped from the lineup last night, coach Ron Wilson decided to take Jeff Finger out and reinstate Garnet Exelby ... Darcy Tucker acknowledged a standing ovation by the crowd after a highlight clip of his Leaf years was shown.